The “President's Own” United States Marine Band Releases Jonathan Leshnoff's “Symphony for Winds”

The “President's Own” United States Marine Band has released the world premiere recording of Jonathan Leshnoff's “Symphony for Winds” on their new release, Aspire: “The President’s Own” at 225: Volume 1: United States Marine Band.

About the Album

On July 11, 1798, President John Adams signed an Act of Congress re-establishing the United States Marine Corps after it was briefly disbanded following the American Revolution. In that act was a provision for thirty-two fifers and drummers along with a Fife and a Drum Major to lead them. This was the genesis of the United States Marine Band. Soon after its founding, the band expanded well beyond its original charter for ceremonial music, playing for social functions and presenting public concerts for the citizens. When the fledging ensemble moved from Philadelphia to Washington DC, the nation’s new capital, the band began providing music at the President’s new executive mansion, a duty that would become its central mission.

After 225 years, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band remains the oldest continuously active professional music organization in the nation and has evolved into a multi-faceted and diverse musical ensemble. It has long served as a leader in both preserving the sacred artistic traditions of the past as well as pushing the state of the art ever forward in America. The collection of music on this commemorative double album reflects a melding of that special musical charge. All the works included in this recording were written or arranged for “The President’s Own” and serve as a colorful portrait of a singular institution after more than two centuries of service to our nation.

About Symphony for Winds

Symphony of Winds is my first major work for band and was commissioned by the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band in honor of the Band’s 225th anniversary. It is dedicated to my longtime friend, musical collaborator and visionary leader of the USMB, Colonel Jason Fettig.

Col. Fettig and I had discussed a major work for band for years. Our plans started to coalesce in 2020. Knowing that this work would be written in honor of the Band’s anniversary, I wanted to incorporate a musical idea that was distinctly “American.” Mentioning this to Col. Fettig, he proposed several melodies that could be used. My final choice was “God of our Fathers,” an Episcopalian hymn that, in the late 1800s, became the National Hymn of the US. In addition to its poignant melody, which I found conducive to compositional development, I found an allusion to a “band” in the opening stanza. Though the “band” that the lyricist writes of is not a musical band, I still found the double meaning to be significant:

God of Our Fathers, whose almighty hand,
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band.

My twenty-minute work is in three movements. The first movement opens with a powerful, dramatic brass choir, stating a theme that will return several times in the movement. Energetic and rhythmically shifting patterns immediately break out, dividing the band into competing choirs. Soon, a triumphant, soaring melody appears in the solo trumpet. The syncopated rhythm, brass choir and soaring melody compete for attention until a rousing but unsettled ending.

The second movement focuses on the virtuosity of the wind section. Flutes, clarinets and saxophones trade off arpeggiated runs as a mysterious melody is presented by an unlikely couple, the piccolo and contra-bass clarinet, the highest and lowest instruments of the band.

The final movement utilizes the “God of our Fathers” hymn. The movement commences with fragments of the hymn, which I expand and elaborate with great creative license. The energy and melodic flow slowly build until a final climax where both the full hymn, coupled with the opening brass choir for the first movement, are gloriously present in full splendor. The music quickly drops in intensity and ends in quiet but serene contemplation.

It has been a distinct honor to work with the USMB. Their virtuosity, dedication and musicianship is inspiring, and they are prepared for, at least, another 225 years of service to this Great Country.